Egypt church bombings suspect 'hands himself in'

Addis Ababa, April 20, 2017 (FBC) -A suspect wanted in connection with the deadly bombings of Egyptian churches in the cities of Tanta and Alexandria has turned himself into the authorities, the country's state-run news agency Mena reports.

A security source said the suspect, identified as Mahmoud Mohamed Ali Hassan, was escorted to the headquarters of the national security agency, Mena adds.

The leader of the Coptic Christians, Pope Tawadros II, had been in one of the two churches targeted on Palm Sunday earlier this month, when 45 people were killed in attacks claimed by the militant Islamic State group.

The attacks on Christians, who make up about 10% of Egypt's population, raised security fears ahead of a visit to Cairo by Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, scheduled for 28 and 29 April.